Health danger warning after bottles of the counterfeit booze have been seized from shops in Hayes

Bottles of the counterfeit booze have been seized from shops in Hayes, and Hillingdon Council is urging people to be wary when buying vodka to avoid drinking it.

A trading standards investigation discovered serious concerns about some bottles of Metropolis Vodka, sold at 37.5 per cent alcohol per volume in one litre and 70centilitre bottles.

The council traced the UK duty paid number on suspect bottles, A90000001023, to an Italian manufacturer, but while it does make other vodka brands, the manufacturer does not produce Metropolis.

Councillor Jonathan Bianco, cabinet member for finance, property and business services, said: “Our trading standards team could not determine where Metropolis Vodka came from or the company that made it, which means that it is impossible to guarantee its quality.

"Counterfeit spirits are often topped up with toxic substances, such as methanol, which pose a serious risk to health, so it is vital that people do not drink it.

“In addition, anyone dealing in counterfeit products runs a huge risk to themselves and traders should be careful about the products they stock, knowingly or otherwise.

“Retailers and consumers in the London Borough of Hillingdon should let us know if they see Metropolis Vodka with this duty stamp number being sold so we can seize any remaining bottles and continue to investigate where it came from.”

Anyone with information about Metropolis Vodka should call Hillingdon’s trading standards service on 01895 250164 and choose option two.

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